05/12/2022
ORGANIST KEN DOUBLE CELEBRATES HIS 40TH ANNIVERSARY AT LONG CENTER JUNE 4th
Variety Concerts on the Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ Began in 1982
The love affair between former TV 18 and Indianapolis sportscaster Ken Double and the old Mars Theatre now known as Long Center actually pre-dates 1982. As part of a group of about 40 volunteers that gathered at the old theatre in 1978, Ken was busy working with treated cloth trying to help clean up the old movie and vaudeville house to make it ready for its new life as a performing arts center. All the while, he was dreaming of installing a real theatre pipe organ in the spaces where one was installed in 1921 when the theatre first opened its doors.
In February of 1982, the organ dedication concert took place with the theatre packed twice for a thrilling return of theatre organ music. The following June, Ken filled the house again for the first of what has become an annual event featuring Ken and his music on the Mighty Wurlitzer, along with silent film and other talent on the stage for variety shows that will celebrate 40 years on the stage on Saturday night, June 4th.
“I have often joked with audiences where I have performed more than once that it is a good sign when you are invited back,” says Double who now calls Atlanta home,” because it’s an indication you didn’t screw things up the last time! I never dreamed that I would be coming back to this wonderful place for 40 years. Talk about a thrill.”
The dream of a pipe organ that took hold in 1978 came true in 1982, and then grew in 1990-91 when the current configuration of the Wurlitzer was installed. The organ has three keyboards and 21 sets of pipes, each making a distinctive sound like trumpet, flute, string, with some 1700+ pipes in all.
Variety is the order of the day, and Ken will recreate that June night 40 years ago, presenting the silent short comedy TWO TARS starring Laurel and Hardy; and he will welcome soprano Audrey Johnson to the stage, with the Wurlitzer-as-orchestra accompanying her magnificent vocal talents.
This great night of entertainment is Saturday, June 4th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Long Center box office, or online at www.longpac.org; or call 765-742-LONG for information.
The 40th anniversary Ken Double Variety Show starring the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ – an historic evening of “pops-style” entertainment everyone can enjoy!
